title: Evaluation of protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine on arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was aimed to study protective role of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) was assessed against arsenic (As)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty four male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each and treated as follows: Group 1: sham control, 2: arsenic control (sodium arsenite @ 10 mg/kg b. wt orally for 4 wks), 3: Pre-treatment with NAC (@ 300 mg/kg orally for 2 wks) followed by sodium arsenite along with NAC (as per above doses) and 4: Sodium arsenite + NAC (as per above doses for 4 wks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls was significantly (P<0.05) increased, while the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH), and the activity of CYP450, Na+ - K+ ATPase and Mg2+ ATPase in liver were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in group 2 as compared to control. Groups 3 and 4 revealed improvement in the parameters in study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study revealed that arsenic induces hepatotoxicity by inducing oxidative stress and supplementation of NAC is beneficial in countering the adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Pudari
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hemalatha
authors.forename: Alla Gopala
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Yerradoddi Ramana
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Pabbathi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shivakumar
keywords: Arsenic; N-acetyl cysteine; hepatotoxicity